Electrically operated switch closing mechanism



Aprill 5, 1932. c. D. AINSWORTH ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SWITCH CLOSING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet Invehor.

Filed May 5l. 1930 April 5, Q D A|N5WORTH- A ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SWTCH CLOSING MECHANSM Filed May 31, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet Z Nve-zor:

5, 193.2. C, D.' AINSWORTH 1,852,139

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SWITCH CLOSING MECHANISM Filed May 5l, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 .rif i Patented Apr. l 5, 1932 UNiTi-:n` STATES PATENT oFFlca i CHESTER D. AINSWORTH, OF WOLLASTON, MASSACHUSETTSQASSIG'NOR TO CONDIT ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, OF SOUTH BOSTON, MASSACHU- SETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SWITCH CLOSING- MECHANISM Application led May 31,

rl`his invention relates to heavy duty electric switching apparatus especially adapted for the control of multi-phase distribution circuits and has particular reference to pow* er-actuated closing mechanisms for these switches.

It is common to close an electric switching apparatus consisting say of three single switches by means of a single large closing solenoid. It is also common to close the switches by a plurality of small independent closing solenoids each operating through its own mechanism to close the switch with which it is directly associated, the switches being mechanically interconnected so that they can close and open in synchronism. Both of these methods have objections which the present invention is designed to overcome. The single big closing solenoid has relatively great electrical and mechanical inertia and Conse quently is slow to operate whereas the present day switches are requiredr to be closed more rapidly than can be done with a big solenoid. The big solenoid is also electrically inetlicient because of the relatively long length of its mean turn, since it must be big in diameter. The individual small solenoids are electrically more eflicient than the single big solenoid and are speedier in operation. Since each solenoid, however, must have its own operating mechanism` there is a duplication of partswhich by the presentv invention is rendered unnecessary and which to some extent slows down the inherent operating speed of the small solenoids.

Iny accordance with the present invention, the advantages both of the big single solenoid and of the plurality of small solenoids are retained while the disadvantages thereof are removed; and this constitutes one of the objects of the invention.

In carrying out the invention, the plurality of electric switches are providedwith an operating mechanism which is common to all of them as is the case with the big solenoid. A plurality of small solenoids are arranged to act conjointly upon the operating mechanism and through said mechanism upon all of the switches. Since the individual solenoids are small they have correspondingly 1930. Serial No. 458,873.

lsmall electrical and mechanical inertia and can close the switches rapidly. They also have relatively high electrical eiliciency since the length of a mean ampere turn is small. Consequently, the arrangement eliminates the duplication of closing mechanisms heretofore necessary with multi-coil closing mechanisms and eliminates the slow speed of closing movement inherent. with the big single solenoid.

A further object is to provide an electrically actuated closing device for an electric switch comprising a plurality of conjointly operable switch closing solenoids carried by a single core structure each of which solenoids hasa separately actuated plunger operatively connected with a common switch actuating'member.

A yet further object of the invention is the provision of a single closing mechanism for a multi-phase heavy duty switch in which a plurality of jointly responsive electrically activated solenoids having a common core structurer are employed t effect opera-tion of all the phase units of the switch through a common mechanism.

AA yet further object is generally to improve the construction and operation of electric switch actuating mechanism and closing solenoids therefor.

Fig. l is a front elevation of a three phase switch having the actuating mechanism of the invention associated therewith.

Fig. 2 isa side elevation of the actuating mechanism associated with the middle unit of Fig. l. 85

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the coil box for the switch closing solenoids.

Fig. l is a front elevation, partly in section, oi the coil box of Fig. 3 taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a section through the coil box on line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Figs. 6 and 7 are front and side elevations respectively of a solenoid plunger.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the electric connections for the switch closing solenoids.

rlihe electric switch herein shown is adapted to control a three phase power circuit and comprises three similar and structurally-independent switch units. Each unit-s includes `interconnected for conjoint operation.

switch operating shaft.

a substantially cylindrical switch frame 10 which forms a cover for an oil receptacle 12 which is received Within and depends below said switch frame. A cradle 14 is secured, as by welding, to the bottom of said oil receptacle and provides a bottom closure therefor. Each frame l also comprises a support for a pair of stationary switch members including the insulating bushings 16 and axial conducting studs 18 which extend through the top of said switch frame and depend into the oil within the receptacle 12 in the usual manner. Said studs 18 are provided at their lower ends with stationary contact members, not shown. Each switch frame also is formed with a forwardly extended mecha nism compartment 20 which terminates in a vertical front face or platen 22 which provides a support for a vertical panel 24. The mechanism compartment 20'of each unit has suitable switch mechanism contained therein, by which an movable switch member, not shown, is reciprocated into and out of engagement with `its cooperating stationary contact members to complete and interrupt the circuit through the switch. Said switch mechanism includes a horizontal shaft 26 which is extended through a side wall of compartment 20 and has fixed thereto exteriorly of the compartment the depending crank arm 30.

The several switch units, as shown in Fig. 1, are located in adjacent cell compartments A, B and C with their operating mechanirms he switches are supported in elevated position in the cells by means of horizontal channels 32 which are located at the front and back of each unit and which are connected by means of stay bolts 34. Said channels 32 are supported at their ends by 'pairs of channels 36 placed back to back, which are embedded in the walls 38 between adjacent cells. Said channels 36 have welded thereto angular attaching clips 40 which are secured by bolts 42 to the backs of channels 32, whereby to secure said channels lixedly in place. Bolts 44 are provided to secure the switch frames l0 removably to the front channel members 32.

The switch mechanisms of the several switch units, as represented by the crank arms 30, are adapted to be interconnected through suitable operating mechanism for conjoint operation and, to this end, each unit is provided with an operating face plate 46 which is secured to the panel 24 by means of bolts 48 which are passed through said face plate and said panel and the platen 22 of the mechanism compartment 20. Each face plate 46 is provided at its upper end with pairs of horizontally-spaced forwardly-ex tended arms 50 at the extended ends of which is journalled a section 52 of a horizontal Said sections 52 are arranged in axial alignment and are operatively connected at their adjacent ends by interlocking coupling members 54 which are arranged to provide for conjoint rotation of the sections, even though they should be axially displaced. Each section 52 has fixed thereto a depending crank arm 56 which is pivotally connected by means of an adjustable link 58 with the crank arm 30 of the associated switch unit. the rotation of the operating shaft including the sections 52 of the several switch units will effect a simultaneous movement of the crank arms 30 of the several switch mechanisms to open and close all the units of the switch conjointly.

In accordance with this invention, a single actuating mechanism is provided which is adapted to be both manually and electrically operated to open and close the switch. To this end, the face plate 46 of the middle unit, as viewed in Fig. 1, is provided with forwardly extended side portions 60 which are provided with a second pair of horizontallyspaced forwardly-extended arms 62. Said arms 62 have j ourn alled therein at their forward ends an actuating shaft 64 which is disposed beneath and parallel with the section 52 of the operating shaft. The face plate 46 is further provided with a lower horizontal shelf 66 which is cast integral therewith and which provides a support for the switch closing solenoid, hereinafter to be described.

Said actuating shaft 64 has fixed thereto an actuating member 68. Said actuating member includes a pair of forwardly-extended arms 70 which converge at their extreme forward ends to provide short closely spaced parallel attaching portions 72 between which is received a vertical link 'T4 which is pivotally connected at its lower end to said arms by a pin 7 6. Said link is pivotally connected at its upper end by a pin 78 with a forwardly-extended crank arm 80 which is rigidly fixed to the operating shaft 52 and which is angularly related to the crank arm 56. The operating shaft 52 and the crank arms 8O and 56 constitute, in effect, an operating bell crank lever.

Means are provided for actuating said actuating member 68 electrically whereby to effect the closing of the switch. In accordance with the invention, said means includes a single core structure comprising a substantially rectangular iron coil box 82 which is closed at the top and open at the bottom and which has provision for a plurality of relatively small switch closing solenoids, the combined effort of which is ample to effect the closing of the switch. To this end, said coil box is formed with four horizontally-aligned vertically-disposed cylindrical compartments 83, 84, 85 and 86 each of which is adapted to receive a separate one of said switch closing solcnoids. Said' coil box is secured remov- Thus, it will be evident that ably by means of. cap screws 87 to the lower facefof shelf66 in such position that the vertical axes ofthe several compartments occupy a vertical plane which is parallel with but is disposed somewhat to the rea-r of the vertical plane including saidactuating shaft 64. Bectangular iron plates 88 are secured by means of bolts 90 to the open bottom of said coil box whereby to provide separate closures for each of said solenoid compartments. As shown most clearly in Fig. 5, each solenoid includes a` cylindrical spool 92, which may be of bakelite, having a winding 94 thereon, and a central armature or operating plunger 96 one of which is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. A central metallic tube 98 is provided in each solenoid compartment to center said spool and also to provide means for guiding said plunger in its vertical movements. The upper end of said tube is received in a central recess 100 in the top wall of said coil box. Each of saidbottoni plates 88 is provided with an axial'passage 102 therein in which is received a cylindrical core plug 104 which extends unwardly into the adjacent solenoid compartment. The extended end of said core plug is adapted to fit closely within the lower end of tube 98 and said plug is formed with an intermediate annular ledge 106 whereby to provide upper and lower annular abutments 108 and 110. The metal tube 98 is adapted to rest upon-the upper abutment 108 wherebyI to hold it removably in position. The lower abutment 110 of said annular ledge 106 isadapted to bear against the inner face of the plate 88. Said'vcore plug is adapted to be upset at its outer end 112 whereby to secure it firmly in its supporting plate and to make sure that the passage 102 is completely filled by the material of said core plug, thus to insure good flux conductivity between said plug andthe cover plate 88. The operating plunger 96 of each solenoid extends through a passage 114 in the top wall of compartment and is operatively connected with the actuating shaft 64 by means-of a pair of similar studs, or eye bolts, 116 which are separately screw threaded at their lower ends into the plunger and which are provided at their upper ends with parallel flared portions havingeyes through which a pin 118 is extended. The plungers of the several solenoids are pivotally connected by said pins 118 with rearwardly extended crank arms 120. which crank arms are fixed to the actuating shaft 64 at suitable spaced intervals therealong to lie between the spaced studs 116 of the several solenoid plungers. The crank arms 120 connected with the two intermediate solenoids areI herein shown as formed integral with the arms 7 0 of the actuating member 68. The two outer crank arms 120 are fixed to the actuating shaft 64 near the opposite end hf of. It will be evident that if the swit i open and the solenoids in the coil box 82 are energized, the actuating member 68 will. be rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, thus to operate the bell crank including crank arm 8O and the switch-operating crank arm 56 in a clockwise direction due to the link 4 connecting the two, and the switch mechanism of the several switches will be moved into the closed position of Fig. 2. In this position of the mechanism, the plungers 96 of the solenoids will be in engagement with the tops of core plugs 104 which limit the movement of the mechanism in a switch closing direction.

Means are provided to latch the actuating mechanism in a switch closed position. To this end, the right hand crank arm 120 of the actuating member 68, as viewed in Fig. 2, is provided with an integral extension 122 which has a toggle link 124 pivotally connected thereto by a pin 126 which passes through a yoke 128 of said toggle link. Said yoke has threaded thereinto an adjustable eye bolt 130 having an eye 132 at its free end. Said eye bolt 130 is pivotally connected by means of a pin 134 between the bifurcations of the end portion 136 of a crank arm 138 which is provided at its other end with a cylindrical hub 139 that is loosely mounted on the operating shaft 52 between a fixed thrust collar 140 and the right hand forwardly-extended bearing arm 50, as viewed in Fig. 1. Said crank arm 138 and link 124 constitute a toggle which is adapted in the switch closed position of the mechanism to occupy the underset position shown in Fig. 2. Said toggle is constantly biased toward a collapsed position by the switch operating mechanism and also by a spring 142 which isv fixed to a lug 119 of the left hand arm 50 of said face plate at one end and at its other end is fixed to a pin 118 of one arm 120 of said actuating member, whereby constantly to urge the clockwise rotation of the switch operating and actuating shafts into the switch open position thereof. Said toggle is adapted to be held releasably in the underset position, whereby to hold the switches closed, by means of a latcli144 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 146 between the bifurcations 148 of an upstandingarm 150 which is formed integral with the bottom horizontal shelf 66. To this end, the toggle link, comprising arm 138, has formed integral therewith an angularly depending latch arm 152 which is offset to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, and terminates in a forwardly-curved end portion which, in the c-losed position of the switch, is adapted to lie just back of the actuating shaft 64 and in the same vertical plane with said latch 144; Said latch arm is bifurcated at its lower end and has a latch roller 154 which is pivotally mounted between the bifurcations thereof on a pin 156, which roller is adapted to be engaged and held by the verticaljlatch face 158 thus to lock the toggle releasably in set position, .in which position of the toggle the switch is closed. A' tripping coil 160 is secured to the front face of said coil boX 82 directly beneath the forwardly extended latch 144 and has its plunger 162 operatively connected by a pin 164 with a pair of links 166. Said links are formed with vertically elongated slots 168 in which a pin 170 carried by the forwardly-extended end of latch 144 is freely movable. The lower ends 172 of said slot are adapted to engage pin 170 when said tripping solenoid is energized to raise the plunger 162 whereby to trip the latch and permit the switch to open. The latch can be depressed free from said plunger 162 when the switch is closed by reason of said slot 168 and the switch can also be opened or tripped manually by raising the forward end of the latch.

The switch is here arranged to be closed manually. The closing means for the switch includes a horizontal shaft 174 which is disposed above and is perpendicular to the operating shaft 52 and is journalled in a pair of spaced upstanding bearings 176 and 178 which bearings are formed integral with the right hand side portion 50 of the face plate 46. Said shaft is provided with a pinion gear 180 having spiral gear teeth which mesh with corresponding spiral gear teeth 182 which are cut in a portion of the periphery of the hub 139 of crank arm 138. The forward end of shaft 174 is provided with diametrically opposed flat faces 184 which are adapted to be engaged by the hub of a suitable lever, not shown, for rotating the shaft manually. A fixed collar 186 on said shaft provides a limit stop against which the hub of the manual lever is adapted to rest, and the gear 180 and a collar 188 which are disposed on opposite sides of the upstanding bearing 176 prevent axial movement of the shaft due to the thrust of the spiral teeth of said pinion.

It will be evident from Fig. r2 that when the switch is latched in closed position the elevation of the forward end of latch 144 either electrically or manually will permit the toggle 138, 124 to collapse and, under the action of spring 142, will permit the actuating mechanism including the actuating member 68 to rotate in av counterclockwise direction. Movement of the actuating member 68 in a counterclockwise direction will also effect a counterclockwise rotation of the operating bell crank including arms 80 and 56 which are fixed to the operating shaft 52 thus to open all of the switches conjointly.

If now it is desired to close the switch manually, the manually-operable lever is placed on the forwardly-extended end of shaft 174 and is moved to rotate said shaft in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, whereupon the arm 138 is rotated in a clockwise direction, Fig. 2, thus nearly to straighten the toggle 138, 124, which now constitutes an actuating toggle, and effect closing movement of the switch through the actuatin member 68, link 74 and operating bell cran 80, 56.

As shown in Fig. 5, passages are provided in the side walls of each solenoid compartment in which insulating bushings 192 are disposed and through which the terminal leads for the several solenoids are adapted to be brought out. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8, the solenoid windings 94 are connected in parallel with leads 194 and 196 of the battery 198, or other source of power, and are energized conjointly by the closing of the remote control switch 200.

The operating shaft 52 of the end switch units are each provided with switch accelerating means which constantly bias the operating mechanisms thereof for switch opening movement. The accelerating mechanism of each unit includes a forwardly extended crank 202 fixed to the operating shaft 52, a depending link 204 which is pivoted by a pin 206 at its upper end to the extended end of said arm 202 and which is provided at its lower end with a disc 208, and a cylinder 210 which is pivotally connected at its lower end to a lug 212 of face plate 46, in which cylinder said disc 208 is adapted to be reciprocated by the closing and opening movements of the switch. A compression spring 214 is disposed between the top face of said disc and the closed upper end of said cylinder and is adapted to be compressed in the switch closing movement of the operating mechanism, thus to bias the mechanism, when it is closed, toward open position.

Various modifications may be made in the arrangement and construction of the mechanism without departing from the scope of the invention.

The solenoid closing mechanism here shown is rapid in operation since the parts are small and have little inertia. The mechanism is not limited to the four coils shown but can be used with a larger or lesser number of closing coils.

The structure of the actuating solenoids are shown but not claimed, and the mechanism herein shown is described and claimed in my concurrently-filed applications Serial Nos. 458,871, and 458,872.

I claim:

1. Electrically operated closing` mechanism for electric switches including la box constructed of magnetic material and having an open bottom and a top which has a plurality of apertures therein, a plurality of solenoids contained within. said box cach axially aligned with a separate opening, plunger-s movable in said openings and soleno-ids, and a plurality of separate closures for the open bottom of said box, each closure constituting a supporting means for a separate solenoid and all of said closures cooperating with each other and with said box to provide a common magnetic circuit for all of said solenoids.

2. Electrically operated closing mechanism for Aelectric switches including a box constructed of magnetic material and having an open bottom and a top which has a plurality of apertures arranged in line therein, a plurality of solenoids contained within said box each axially aligned with a separate opening, plungers movable in said openings and solenoids, and a plurality of separate closures for the open bottom of said box, each closure constituting a supporting means for a separate solenoid and all of said closures cooperating with each other and with said box to provide a common magnetic circuit for all of said solenoids, said closures having core pieces which enter their respective solenoids and coact with said plungers.

3. Electrically operated closing mechanism for electric switches including a box constructed of magnetic material and having` an open bottom and a top which has a plurality of apertures arranged in line therein, a plurality of solenoids contained within said box each axially aligned with a separate opening, plungers movable in said openings and solenoids, and a plurality of separate closures for the open bottom of said box, each closure constituting a supporting means for a separate solenoid and all of said closures cooperating with each other and with said box to provide a common magnetic circuit for all of said solenoids, said closures having core pieces which enter their respective solenoids and coact with said plungers, and means for conjointly energizing all of said solenoids.

4l. Electrically operated closing mechanism for electric switches including a box constructed of magnetic material and having an open bottom and a top which has a plurality of apertures arranged in line therein, a plurality of solenoids contained within said box each axially aligned with a separate opening, plungers movable in said openings and solenoids, and a plurality of separate closures for the open bottom of said box, each closure constituting a supporting means for a separate solenoid and all of said closures cooperating with each other and with said box to provide a common magnetic circuit for all of said solenoids, said closures having core pieces which enter their respective solenoids and coact with said plungers, and a switch actuating member having an operative connection independently with each of said plungers.

5. Electrically operated closing mechanism for electric switches including a solenoid enclosing box having plunger openings in one Wall thereof, a plurality of solenoids contained in said box each axially aligned with a separate one of said openings, plungers movably located in said openings and solenoids, said box having interconnected solenoid receiving compartments, the inner faces of which closely encircle said solenoid, said box being constructed of magnetic material and providing a magnetic circuit which is common to all of said solenoids.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specilication.

CHESTER D. AINSWORTH. 

